Toyota Corolla Cross GR Sport arrives in Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR: Toyota introduces the GR Sport version of the Corolla Cross in Thailand, where the SUV is well-received with a cumulative sales of 27,794 units since its debut in July 2020. The 2022 GR Sport Corolla Cross not only features sportier exterior and interior designs but also offers a more exciting performance to auto enthusiasts with an exclusive suspension system.

On the exterior, the cosmetic tweaks are mostly centered on the front. We can see a revamped grille with a thick gloss-black surround edged by LED headlights. Below that lies an aggressive air intake teamed up with a chunkier skid plate for a macho look. Adding to the exterior changes are side skirts, GR front, and rear bumpers, black roof, and different 18-inch turbine-like alloy wheels. The rear end gets the beefier skid plate with LED tail lights. 

The interior design of the Corolla Cross GR Sport is decked up with a Piano Black color, and custom-designed seats, with the GR emblem, prominently imprinted. The GR badge is also positioned on the stop-start button and the floor mats.

For sportier driving experience, Toyota brings on board a fine-tuned suspension whose coil spring and the shock absorber have been developed for better traction, balance, and cornering. It features MacPherson Strut, stabilizer bar, coil spring, and shock absorber at the front, and Torsion beam, with stabilizer bar, coil spring, and shock absorber at the rear.

Under the hood, the Corolla Cross GR-S continues with the same petrol-electric 1.8-litre hybrid mill available on the regular model. It is paired with an electric motor delivering 72 PS of power and 163 Nm of torque. The combined system output is rated at 122 PS. Power is sent to the front wheels through an e-CVT.

Safety-wise, the sportier Corolla Cross is one step above the standard model as it is equipped with Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Lane Tracing Assist. Other advanced safety bits onboard are Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Pre-Collision System, and Automatic High Beams.

The Corolla Cross GR-S price in Thailand starts from THB 1,249,000 (approximately equal to RM 156,000). It is available in three colours - Platinum White Pearl, Red Mica Metallic, and Attitude Black Mica.

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